They managed to get a quiet spot right away in one of the restaurants. Jax was surprised to know that Harley had been there before-with Cade, naturally. After placing their orders, Jax decided to open up a discussion that he himself had been avoiding.
"So about your mother … " Harley's shoulders slumped as soon as she heard her father speak. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but we have to." Jax reached out a hand to Harley, but his daughter didn't take it.
"I know." Her voice was almost too quiet to hear. Harley started fiddling with the napkin on the table.
Jax held her hand in his. Her fingers were too light and tiny in his palm. "Harley, look at me, please." Harley slowly raised her head. Her eyes were full of trepidation. "I'm sorry you had to go through what you did with Fiona. I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop it."
Harley pursed her lips. "It's okay. Cade was there. She helped me deal."
"I know. And I'm grateful for it. I've spoken to Fiona. I told her never to speak to you like that again." Jax couldn't help the tension building in his jaw as he spoke about his ex to his daughter.
"What … " Harley exhaled heavily before she continued, "What did she want, anyway? Is her marriage over?"
Jax was shocked at first but then he couldn't help letting out a laugh, garnering a confused look from Harley. "I'm sorry. It is kind of funny that you'd think that right away, but no, it isn't. I guess your mother was having one of those days. She asked me about the summer and if I planned to keep you with me the entire time. Only because she wants to spend the whole summer in Southern France with what's-his-face. I told her yes, of course I wanted you to stay with me, since-"
"But you have the tour," Harley interjected.
"Yes, I'm hoping to bring you with me until school starts." He waited for a response but all he received was silence and her usual worried look. "You don't want to go? I should have asked you first, before deci-"
Harley leapt out of her seat to embrace her surprised father. "Of course I want to go! Are you kidding? I've always wanted to go to one of your concerts."
Jax hadn't expected Harley's excitement. He basked in the warmth of her embrace, an action he'd never gotten from her since she was a toddler. Once she settled back in her chair, with a genuine show of happiness still present on her young face, he told her the specifics of the tour.
"We'll head to LA first thing Monday. It's going to be a lot of work for the band, but you'll be able to hang out and watch some of the rehearsals. We'll take Miss Williams with us so you have someone to be with if you choose not to stick around." An added excitement lit up Harley's eyes when he mentioned that last bit. "Rehearsals can be long and technical. Boring for you. I'm sure you two will be able to find stuff to do."
"I don't doubt it. She's never been to California. She's never been anywhere else much really except when she was younger. I mean she's been to places, but not for long."
"How so?" Jax tried very hard to mask the interest in his voice.
"Her dad was in the military. They travelled a lot before her mom died."
Jax was saddened by what he had just learned, but intrigue still ruled. He wanted to ask Harley more about the elusive woman who had been plaguing his thoughts when the server came out with their food and Harley began to talk about other topics-nothing about Miss Cade Williams. He resorted to thinking that whatever else he wanted to know about her, he would just have to find out on his own. One way or another.
Chapter Six
Avoidance was key.
Cade had to remind herself that she had been successful at dodging Jax and all his sultry self the past few weeks. She had stolen glances his way whenever he walked around the penthouse. There had been too many incidences when female bodyguards had fallen or been involved with their own clients. If she fell for that trap, Mac would never trust her with anything ever again. If only Jax would stop sauntering around without his shirt on, and get rid of those butt-hugging ripped and torn jeans he always wore. Cade's mouth dried up every time he would lift an arm to stretch or yawn, his lats and arms lengthening, pushing down an inch or two past the protuberances of his hip bones, making her think that he didn't wear underwear underneath those dark jeans. After her shift, she was safe from his sexual prowess as soon as she stepped out of his building, and headed home to do nothing but try not to fantasize about her boss.